Sexual Addiction and Substance Addiction: Comparing Sexual Addiction Treatment Outcomes Among Clients With and Without Comorbid Substance Use Disorders

The current study sought to compare treatment outcomes for individuals with a single diagnosis of sexual addiction (SA) to those with comorbid sexual and substance addiction (SA-SUD), and to explore whether these two disorders can be successfully treated concurrently. Baseline and 6 month follow-up data were collected from adults receiving inpatient residential treatment for SA (n = 21) or for SA-SUD (n = 36) examining sexual impulse control, alcohol and drug use, and quality of life. Both SA and SA-SUD clients experienced significant improvements in self-reported sexual compulsivity and quality of life; however, on average, SA clients had significantly higher levels of compulsive sexual behavior than SA-SUD clients. The findings suggest that the two disorders can be successfully treated concurrently. Implications of these findings are discussed.